Revelation13

Revelation 13 describes two beasts that rise to power, deceiving and controlling the inhabitants of the earth. The first beast, from the sea, has seven heads and ten horns, receives power from the dragon, and blasphemes God while making war with the saints. The second beast, from the earth, appears lamb-like but speaks as a dragon, performing great wonders to compel worship of the first beast and its image. This second beast enforces a mark, without which no one can buy or sell, and its number is six hundred threescore and six.

Listen to this chapter

The Beast from the Sea Rises

and he stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy.

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.

And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast;

and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him?

and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.

And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven.

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.

If any man hath an ear, let him hear.

If any man is for captivity, into captivity he goeth: if any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The Beast from the Earth (The False Prophet)

And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

And he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he maketh the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed.

And he doeth great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men.

And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived.

And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead;

and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six.

Study Notes for Revelation 13

Verse 1

This figure synthesizes the oppressive world empires described in Daniel 7 (leopard, bear, lion). The seven heads and ten horns link it to the Dragon (Rev 12:3), representing ultimate political power inspired by Satan.

Verse 2

The Dragon (Satan) grants the beast its power and authority. This emphasizes that oppressive earthly political authority is fundamentally demonic in origin when set against God’s rule.

Verse 3

The 'deadly wound' that is healed is a demonic parody of Christ's death and resurrection, designed to deceive the world into believing the beast possesses divine power or immortality, leading to universal awe.

Verse 4

Worship is directed toward both the political power (the beast) and the source of that power (the dragon/Satan). This confirms the spiritual nature of the conflict underlying the political oppression.

Verse 5

The duration of 'forty and two months' (three and a half years) is a symbolic period of time indicating a limited, intense season of tribulation, mirroring the 'time, times, and half a time' in Daniel 7:25.

Verse 6

Blasphemy is directed against God's name, His dwelling place (the cosmos and heaven), and His people ('them that dwell in heaven,' as citizens of the heavenly kingdom).

Verse 7

The beast is permitted by God to wage war against the saints, highlighting the reality of persecution. Its authority is universal, emphasizing the global scope of the beast’s influence.

Verse 8

The ultimate division is between those who worship the beast and those whose names are written in the eternal register of the redeemed. The Lamb was 'slain from the foundation of the world,' emphasizing God's eternal plan of salvation.

Verse 10

This verse assures the persecuted saints that divine justice will prevail; those who inflict violence will eventually suffer it. This promise requires 'patience and the faith' (endurance and faithfulness) from believers.

Verse 11

This second beast acts as the chief religious or propaganda agent for the first. It appears harmless ('like a lamb') but speaks with malicious, deceptive authority ('as a dragon').

Verse 12

The second beast’s primary function is to enforce the worship of the political power (the first beast), illustrating the danger of state-sanctioned false religion.

Verse 13

The beast performs counterfeit miracles (like calling down fire, mimicking Elijah) to authenticate its message and deceive humanity, showing that spiritual power does not always equate to divine truth.

Verse 15

The ability to 'give life' to the image suggests a powerful technological or spiritual deception, creating a cult object that demands absolute obedience and results in martyrdom for those who refuse.

Verse 16

The mark is an anti-Torah symbol, parodying the command to place God's law on the hand and forehead (Deut 6:8). It signifies ownership and allegiance to the beast, necessary for economic survival.

Verse 17

This demonstrates the total control the beast establishes over commerce and society, forcing a stark choice between economic participation and loyalty to Christ.

Verse 18

'Here is wisdom' calls for spiritual discernment. The number 666 is universally understood as a symbol of human imperfection and rebellion, falling short of divine perfection (777). Historically, it is often interpreted via gematria as a cryptic reference to a specific tyrannical ruler (like Nero Caesar), symbolizing the recurring nature of anti-Christian empires.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

Revelation13

The Beast from the Sea Rises

The Beast from the Earth (The False Prophet)

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options